I sat there pondering how to answer her question, Why water? Why not books, why not school supplies, why not bed nets?
"Well," I said, "that's what they asked for."
The people of Darmang did not ask us to support them in buying books, or bed nets, or school supplies. They asked for support in getting water. Clean, safe, and stable sources of water. They asked us to use our wealth of resources and networks to reach in directions they cannot. They asked not for a crutch or a handout, they asked for capital to invest in their own human development.
This kind of capital is not the material capital many economists discuss, is does not take the form of money or property. It is not the kind of capital business men discuss, it does not accurue wealth or material value. This kind of capital cannot be quantified or materialized. This kind of capital rears a high quality of life. It translates into possiblity, opportunity.
During the dry season the people of Darmang walk upwards of three hours a day to fetch water. For farmers that means three hours less on the farm per day. That means three hours less productivity. That means that the cycle of poverty deepens.
For most families it is the children that fetch the water. That means three hours less in school each day. That means years lost over the course of a child's education. That means that the cycle of poverty continues.
So this capital translates into something far greater than material wealth or property value, this capital is an investment in the human development and potential of the people of Darmang.
That is why they want water. And that is why I am supporting them, every step of the way.
During the dry season the people of Darmang walk upwards of three hours a day to fetch water. For farmers that means three hours less on the farm per day. That means three hours less productivity. That means that the cycle of poverty deepens.
For most families it is the children that fetch the water. That means three hours less in school each day. That means years lost over the course of a child's education. That means that the cycle of poverty continues.
So this capital translates into something far greater than material wealth or property value, this capital is an investment in the human development and potential of the people of Darmang.
That is why they want water. And that is why I am supporting them, every step of the way.
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